[Circular RNA-encoded peptides and proteins: implications to cancer]

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• Oncology

Background:

• Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are stable, conserved RNA molecules with regulatory roles.
• Emerging evidence shows circRNAs can be translated into functional peptides and proteins.
• These circRNA-encoded molecules are implicated in cancer initiation and progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review research on circRNA-encoded peptides and proteins in various cancers.
• To summarize the mechanisms of circRNA translation into peptides/proteins.
• To highlight their potential in cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on circRNA translation and cancer.
• Analysis of mechanisms including internal ribosome entry site (IRES) and m6A modification.
• Synthesis of findings on circRNA-encoded peptides/proteins in oncogenesis.

Main Results:

• CircRNAs can encode peptides and proteins via IRES-dependent and m6A-dependent translation.
• These molecules play roles in diverse cancer types.
• circRNA-encoded products show potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.

Conclusions:

• circRNA-encoded peptides and proteins represent a novel layer of gene regulation in cancer.
• They offer promising avenues for cancer diagnostics, therapeutics, and mechanistic studies.
• Further research is warranted to fully elucidate their clinical potential.